Caron Colleen (Clinkscales) Nissen was born May 31, 1940, in Eau Claire Wisconsin, to parents Reuben and Rosa Clinkscales and was one of five siblings. Growing up in Rollingstone, MN, she developed an early affinity in the kitchen showing an aptitude for both cooking and baking, which remained a lifelong love and gift to anyone privileged enough to be welcomed to her table.  She attended Winona State University, where at a small town dance she caught the eye of a young navy man and fellow student, Jim Nissen.  Study dates and dances bloomed into a lifetime love affair and they were married after graduation on July 27, 1963.  Caron enjoyed being an elementary school teacher for five years, but her focus shifted with the birth of their three children, Dana (Scott) Moeller, David (Nancy) Nissen, and Nancy (Peter) Kingsriter, prioritizing their care over her career.  A combination of Jim's career and wanderlust brought them to San Ramon, California, for seven years where they enjoyed the weather and made enduring friendships.  The desire to be close to family brought them back to Minnesota, where they lived in their Burnsville home for 42 years, raising their children and cherishing neighbors.  Advancing age led them to settle in a Lakeville townhouse before Caron's illness necessitated another move to a care facility.

Caron and Jim loved to experience the world through travel and over the years visited in excess of 80 countries.  In 24 years of retirement, they enjoyed winters basking in the sunshine of Fort Myers, Florida, where they continued to foster deep and lasting friendships full of Bible studies, women's groups, and sunset dinners.

Caron was a delightfully doting grandparent who adored her six grandchildren, Jordan, Maria, Annika, Alex, Katelyn, and Kyle.  She made sure each was uniquely encouraged and celebrated.  She hosted eagerly-anticipated summertime get-togethers entitled "Grammy Camp" that included art and science lessons as well as field trips, leading to many cherished memories.

A pivotal event in Caron's life happened when she was introduced to Jesus by a friend while living in California.  Caron's relationship with Jesus permeated every part of her life and she warmly shared the overflow of His joy with everyone she met.  Actively involved in Christ Church (Apple Valley), Caron prayed diligently for her pastors, taught women's ministries, and mentored many.  Whether in Minnesota or Florida, Caron would go for long walks daily, happily stopping to engage with anyone she met along the way.  Those meetings frequently led to prayer opportunities, and for the rest of Caron's life she was always ready and enthusiastically willing to bless anyone and everyone with support and prayer regardless of the setting.  Even after she was diagnosed with vascular dementia, she was eager to pray for every member of her memory care staff.  Each family member will warmly remember sharing a concern with her around the kitchen table and without hesitation Caron lovingly grasping their hand and saying, "Let's pray about it."

Caron passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025.

Caron is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 62 years, her three children and their spouses, six grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.  Her joy, boisterous laughter, and enveloping kindness will be missed by all who knew her, though we are so grateful that she's been made whole in Heaven.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of Highview Hills and Minnesota Hospice for their compassion and care.

Her funeral will be Saturday, May 10 at 1:30 P.M. with a visitation one hour prior.

Christ Church

12925 Johnny Cake Ridge Road

Apple Valley MN  55124

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be donated in honor of Caron to the WSU Foundation-Jim and Caron Nissen College of Business Scholarship.